The SA Recycling terminal in the Port of Long Beach has topped a total of 2.5 million tons in exports of iron ore since October 2020, showing strong growth in the shipment of a resource once added to diversify the terminal’s business beyond the processing and export of recyclable metal.

The company has operated a marine terminal at the Port of Long Beach’s Pier T on Terminal Island since 1998. Starting in 2013, it has received iron ore mined in the western United States via railroad. The material is loaded onto bulk cargo ships that sail to ports in East Asia.

The company directly employs about 1,000 people at various Los Angeles County operations. Factoring in indirect and induced employment, the company’s operations generate 3,300 jobs, according to a 2019 economic report by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

“I want to congratulate SA Recycling on this achievement,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Thank you to all the workers across our region who have made this milestone possible.”

“We congratulate the team at SA Recycling for growing its business and thriving throughout the pandemic,” said Steven Neal, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “This is a company that has shown its ability to innovate and adapt. Their hard work is a huge benefit to the community.”

“We are proud to partner with SA Recycling, which excels at generating jobs and economic opportunities, all while serving as a steward of the environment,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We applaud SA Recycling for achieving this milestone in iron ore exports and we look forward to many more years of working together.”

SA Recycling has more than 75 facilities located across eight states in the U.S., with more than 30 facilities located in California.